Stable X-islands of quadrupole mass filter

Quadrupole mass filters are normally operated as narrow band pass filters by appropriate choices of rf and DC voltages corresponding to Mathieu a and q values near the apex of the first stability region. We add an auxiliary quadrupole excitation potential to the main drive voltage. As a result, stability islands appear on the ([Formula: see text]) plane. The method of the islands mapping on the ([Formula: see text]) plane is discussed in detail. The DC electric field's effect responsible for removing “shadowing” islands has been studied using a combination of analytic theory and computer modeling. We call a narrow stability region elongated along an iso-[Formula: see text] line an X-island. Two such stability islands were found where operation is possible without mass spectra interference when the DC potential is used. Those islands are formed by quadrupole potentials with relative excitation frequencies [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] Many other stability X-islands are presented in detail and illustrated by their transmission contours. This data is necessary for experimental testing of the separation mode at those islands. The study demonstrates how to use X-islands to achieve relatively high resolution 4000-12,000 at the transmission of about 28-15%, respectively.

Spatial clustering of inhibition in mouse primary visual cortex

SUMMARYWhether mouse visual cortex contains orderly feature maps is debated. The overlapping pattern of geniculocortical (dLGN) inputs with M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-rich patches in layer 1 (L1) suggests a non-random architecture. Here, we found that L1 inputs from the lateral posterior thalamus (LP) avoid patches and target interpatches. Channelrhodopsin-assisted mapping of EPSCs in L2/3 shows that the relative excitation of parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PVs) and pyramidal neurons (PNs) by dLGN, LP and cortical feedback are distinct and depend on whether the neurons reside in clusters aligned with patches or interpatches. Paired recordings from PVs and PNs shows that unitary IPSCs are larger in interpatches than patches. The spatial clustering of inhibition is matched by dense clustering of PV-terminals in interpatches. The results show that the excitation/inhibition balance across V1 is organized into patch and interpatch subnetworks which receive distinct long-range inputs and are specialized for the processing of distinct spatiotemporal features.

Dissecting cold gas in a high-redshift galaxy using a lensed background quasar

We present a study of cold gas absorption from a damped Lyman-α absorber (DLA) at redshift zabs = 1.946 toward two lensed images of the quasar J144254.78+405535.5 at redshift zQSO = 2.590. The physical separation of the two lines of sight at the absorber redshift is dabs = 0.7 kpc according to our lens model. We observe absorption lines from neutral carbon and H2 along both lines of sight, indicating that cold gas is present on scales larger than dabs. We measure the column densities of H I to be log N(HI) = 20.27 ± 0.02 and 20.34 ± 0.05 and those of H2 to be log N(H2) = 19.7 ± 0.1 and 19.9 ± 0.2. The metallicity inferred from sulphur is consistent with solar metallicity for both sightlines: [S/H]A = 0.0 ± 0.1 and [S/H]B = −0.1 ± 0.1. Based on the excitation of low rotational levels of H2, we constrain the temperature of the cold gas phase to be T = 109 ± 20 and T = 89 ± 25 K for the two lines of sight. From the relative excitation of fine-structure levels of C I, we constrain the hydrogen volumetric densities to lie in the range of 40 − 110 cm−3. Based on the ratio of observed column density and volumetric density, we infer the average individual “cloud” size along the line of sight to be l ≈ 0.1 pc. Using the transverse line-of-sight separation of 0.7 kpc together with the individual cloud size, we are able to place an upper limit to the volume filling factor of cold gas of fvol < 0.1%. Nonetheless, the projected covering fraction of cold gas must be large (close to unity) over scales of a few kpc in order to explain the presence of cold gas in both lines of sight. Compared to the typical extent of DLAs (∼10 − 30 kpc), this is consistent with the relative incidence rate of C I absorbers and DLAs.

Controlling population of the molecular rotational state and the alignment theoretically by tailored femtosecond laser pulse

We demonstrate that the population of the molecular rotational state through a stimulated impulsive Raman excitation can be controlled by tailoring the femtosecond laser pulse with a V-style phase modulation. The results show that, by precisely manipulating the modulation parameters, both the odd and even populations of the molecular rotational state can be completely suppressed or reconstructed. Meanwhile, the relative excitation between the odd and even populations can be obtained. Finally, we show that field-free molecular alignment can be controlled due to the modulation of the molecular rotational state populations.

Systematics on the low-lying spectra in N = 78 ~ 80 isotones

Combining the new spectroscopy results of 144 Tb and previous spectroscopy studies of neighboring nuclei, a systematic investigation on the low-lying spectra in N = 78 ~ 80 isotones is performed. Good systematics have been found for the coupling patterns which couple the odd nucleon(s), such as πh11/2, [Formula: see text], to the 2+, 4+, 6+ and 3- core excitations. It is found that the relative excitation energies of the states formed by coupling h11/2 proton(s) to the 2+, 4+ core excitations are pushed up, in contrast with those formed by coupling h11/2 neutron hole(s) to the 2+, 4+ core excitations, which are pulled down. According to the systematics, the interpretation that the 17/2+ states observed in 141 Sm and 143 Gd are the fully aligned member of coupling the odd h11/2 neutron hole to the octupole 3- core excitation, is explored to the isotones 145 Dy , 142 Eu , and 144 Tb .

Dynamic Characteristics Analysis of Gantry Machining Center Structure

The dynamic performance of modern machine tools is more and more highly emphasized. The research purpose of this paper is to research dynamic performance of gantry machining center through modal experiment. In this paper, the theory of relative excitation test on the machine tool is expounded, and relative excitation test is carried on gantry machining center and then the modal parameters of this machine tool are obtained through experimental modal analysis. Analyze the weak link of this gantry machining center, show that the stiffness of Z direction of Z to feed component of this machine tool is insufficient and the stiffness of X, Y direction of ram is insufficient.